Treating Patients Who Threaten Violence

The problem of violence in contemporary American society is both complex and compelling.1 Interpersonal violence can occur in many forms, with death due to intentional injury being the most serious, though not the most common violent crime. In 1980 the United States homicide rate reached 10.6/100,000—the highest rate recorded this century. The lifetime risk for being a victim of homicide is 1/240 for whites and 1/47 for blacks. Further, the prevalence of nonfatal assault is about 100 times greater.2